This has to be one of the Worst Movies of all time! I present for your edification Part 1 of 10 of this horrid, low budget movie/video that you just have to watch ;) If you like it just click here for the rest ... Thanks Youtube!
Sunday
Thursday
What is it about ice cream?
Why does it hold so many of us in its thrall?
Come summer and the siren's call of something on a stick or in a cone becomes as loud as the screeching of seagulls over a chip.
In winter, what is a rhubarb crumble, deep-fried banana or apple pie without a big scoop of vanilla ice cream? Go through a messy break-up and that litre tub of double chocolate chip ice creambecomes a serve for one. In short, ice cream is our treat and it's our solace.
In fact, frozen desserts like sorbets and ice cream have been prized for centuries. Roman emperor Nero would send messengers to the mountains to bring back snow to turn into icy sherbets like a sort of BC-slushie.
It wasn't until the 1600s that water ices became common in Europe, and in 1671, Charles II of England was served strawberries with "ice cream" at a banquet at Windsor Castle the first mention of those magic two words together.
Best of all around here, it is also a vehicle for any number of culinary failures.
We have a joke that pretty much any sweet leftovers or kitchen disasters can be saved by stirring through slightly softened vanilla ice cream. Popped back in the freezer, this then reappears frozen as your own unique yummy ice-cream flavour.
Dangerous New Zealand Ice Cream Thrower Pleads Guilty
A man armed with a butcher's knife who commandeered a Mr Whippy van and threw ice-cream at bystanders has been convicted in a New Zealand court.
Joseph David Banks, 21, was heavily intoxicated when he threatened a woman with a child at Hastings, in the south-east of the North Island, earlier this month.
He next crawled into a Mr Whippy van and proceeded to make ice-cream cones which he threw at people on the footpath, the Hawks Bay Day reported on Thursday.
When police arrived he refused to be handcuffed and resisted arrest until back-up arrived.
Due to his level of intoxication he was unable to be interviewed at the time.
Yesterday, Banks pleaded guilty at Hastings District Court to a raft of charges, including threatening to kill, resisting police, disorderly behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon.
Sunday
Can Christmas Get Any Cooler Than This?
Yeah but who's going to say anything?
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!!!
Friday
Ice Cream Wallpapers from Wallpaperpimper
I'm always on the lookout for ice cream goodies and I found the following site with a lot of good ice cream wall papers you can use on your computer background. I have favorited the best ones.
Click here to get ice cream wallpapers.
Wednesday
Monday
Great Party Games Involving Ice Cream
Do you need some good ideas for kids party games - involving ice cream.
Check out the following website for some really good ideas.
Games Include:
Ice Cream Sundae Topping Hunt
This ice cream game is a hunt for hidden toppings! After finding as many hidden topping packets as they could find, the topping hunters get to enjoy ...
Blindfolded Ice Cream Eating Game
This is an ice cream game where probably no one will stay completely clean, but everyone will end up having a blast...and hopefully get to enjoy a little ...
Ice Cream Matching Game
This ice cream game is a spin off of a common kid favorite - memory/matching games. Kids have fun while they learn to match items that belong together....
Sundae Scream!
This ice cream game is a game in which you go around a game board trying to get the toppings to make an ice cream sundae. The first person to get ...
Guess the Flavor
This ice cream game tests the power of your tongue and the sensitivity of your taste buds! See who can correctly guess the most different flavors ...
Lost in Space
This ice cream game encourages children to use their creativity as they use the ice cream to sculpt a planet! Perfect for a children's Birthday Party!...
The Annual Ice Cream Social
This ice cream game is all about learning how to make ice cream and then enjoying the results! I always have an Annual Ice Cream Social. I teach ...
Drawing your Own Sundae
Here's a quiet ice cream game for the artists in your group! Have everyone draw a picture of their dream ice cream sundae...and after they're done ...
Ice Cream Obstacle Course
Comepete in this challenging obstacle course...and at the end you'll have a fresh batch of ice cream! Working together as a team is an important part ...
Ice Cream Making Name Game
You've got to be "on the ball" - ready to get the ball and pass it to another person as you say their name! This ice cream game can take a bit of ...
The Forbidden Topping Game
The forbidden topping ice cream game is a game of suspense as people try to add as many toppings to their sundaes without choosing the "forbidden"...
Blindfolded Sundae Hunt
In this ice cream game, 1 blindfolded person has to find objects to build an ice cream sundae following the voice commands of his partner. You can ...
Cherry on the Bottom Game
People at an ice cream party expect to have cherries on the top of their sundae...not in this ice cream game! Players race to find and eat the cherry ...
Scooping Frenzy Ice Cream Game
This ice cream game is a race to see who can scoop "vanilla ice cream" (cotton balls) the fastest while blindfolded. It's difficult because the cotton ...
Catch the Cow Game
You'll need quick hands to play this ice cream game! Sitting in a circle, you'll try to pass balls around the circle - so that you're not caught with ...
Alphabet Ice Cream Sundae Game
In this ice cream game you build an imaginary ice cream sundae by adding toppings for each letter of the alphabet! All you'll need for this game is ...
Build An Ice Cream Sundae Race
This fast paced ice cream game is a relay race where teams try to fulfill an ice cream order by placing toppings in a bowl...using an ice cream scoop!...
Cold Ice Cream Game
This fast paced ice cream game results in some freshly made homemade ice cream and is a spin off of the classic game "Hot Potato." Just like Hot Potato ...
Ice Cream Cone Stepping Stone Game
This ice cream game encourages teamwork (or it can be played individually). It requires skill and balance as team members work their way to the finish ...
Topping Giveaway Ice Cream Game
This ice breaker ice cream game gets people talking. Guests aren't allowed to say the words "Yes" or "No" - if they do - they lose a peanut! It's ...
Ice Cream Spoon Tower Challenge Game
This ice cream game involves a little skill! It's a race to see who can build a block tower using ice cream spoons before someone stops their attempt ...
The Ultimate Topping Drop Game
This ice cream game requires skill to drop ice cream toppings into a waiting cone from a pretty far distance. This game can get a little messy...but ...
No-Hands Ice Cream Eating Game
In this fun ice cream game everyone gets to enjoy some ice cream - but everyone needs to be prepared to get just a little bit messy! It's a delicious ...
Ice Cream Meltdown Game
This ice cream game is a twist on the traditional favorite "Fruit Basket." It's fast-pace has made it a favorite at parties for both the young and the ...
Ice Cream Picture Scavenger Hunt
Here's an ice cream game that's tons of fun. It's perfect for teens and adults and encourages people to work together.
Get the Toppings Race
Here's a fun ice cream game that combines skill, speed, and a whole lot of laughs! It's best played by teens and adults.
Topping Personality Game
This ice cream game is designed to be played at an ice cream sundae party. It's great for adults and teens. It's a fun game that allows people to express ...
Mystery Sundae Making
In this ice cream game contestants try to make their dream sundae in one minute...while blindfolded!
Get ready for lots of laughs as you watch people ...
Coco Cha-Shell
This ice cream game is a twist off of the classic board game Risk. You'll have to plan your strategy well in order to be the first player to conquer ...
Banana, Banana, Banana SPLIT
This ice cream game is a fun game for all ages. It's a twist on Duck, Duck Goose, a traditional favorite that has stood the test of time! Playing this ...
Pin the Cherry on the Sundae
This ice cream game is a classic twist on the old favorite - pin the tail on the donkey! Played "ice cream style," this game is perfect for an ice ...
This ice cream game is a hunt for hidden toppings! After finding as many hidden topping packets as they could find, the topping hunters get to enjoy ...
Blindfolded Ice Cream Eating Game
This is an ice cream game where probably no one will stay completely clean, but everyone will end up having a blast...and hopefully get to enjoy a little ...
Ice Cream Matching Game
This ice cream game is a spin off of a common kid favorite - memory/matching games. Kids have fun while they learn to match items that belong together....
Sundae Scream!
This ice cream game is a game in which you go around a game board trying to get the toppings to make an ice cream sundae. The first person to get ...
Guess the Flavor
This ice cream game tests the power of your tongue and the sensitivity of your taste buds! See who can correctly guess the most different flavors ...
Lost in Space
This ice cream game encourages children to use their creativity as they use the ice cream to sculpt a planet! Perfect for a children's Birthday Party!...
The Annual Ice Cream Social
This ice cream game is all about learning how to make ice cream and then enjoying the results! I always have an Annual Ice Cream Social. I teach ...
Drawing your Own Sundae
Here's a quiet ice cream game for the artists in your group! Have everyone draw a picture of their dream ice cream sundae...and after they're done ...
Ice Cream Obstacle Course
Comepete in this challenging obstacle course...and at the end you'll have a fresh batch of ice cream! Working together as a team is an important part ...
Ice Cream Making Name Game
You've got to be "on the ball" - ready to get the ball and pass it to another person as you say their name! This ice cream game can take a bit of ...
The Forbidden Topping Game
The forbidden topping ice cream game is a game of suspense as people try to add as many toppings to their sundaes without choosing the "forbidden"...
Blindfolded Sundae Hunt
In this ice cream game, 1 blindfolded person has to find objects to build an ice cream sundae following the voice commands of his partner. You can ...
Cherry on the Bottom Game
People at an ice cream party expect to have cherries on the top of their sundae...not in this ice cream game! Players race to find and eat the cherry ...
Scooping Frenzy Ice Cream Game
This ice cream game is a race to see who can scoop "vanilla ice cream" (cotton balls) the fastest while blindfolded. It's difficult because the cotton ...
Catch the Cow Game
You'll need quick hands to play this ice cream game! Sitting in a circle, you'll try to pass balls around the circle - so that you're not caught with ...
Alphabet Ice Cream Sundae Game
In this ice cream game you build an imaginary ice cream sundae by adding toppings for each letter of the alphabet! All you'll need for this game is ...
Build An Ice Cream Sundae Race
This fast paced ice cream game is a relay race where teams try to fulfill an ice cream order by placing toppings in a bowl...using an ice cream scoop!...
Cold Ice Cream Game
This fast paced ice cream game results in some freshly made homemade ice cream and is a spin off of the classic game "Hot Potato." Just like Hot Potato ...
Ice Cream Cone Stepping Stone Game
This ice cream game encourages teamwork (or it can be played individually). It requires skill and balance as team members work their way to the finish ...
Topping Giveaway Ice Cream Game
This ice breaker ice cream game gets people talking. Guests aren't allowed to say the words "Yes" or "No" - if they do - they lose a peanut! It's ...
Ice Cream Spoon Tower Challenge Game
This ice cream game involves a little skill! It's a race to see who can build a block tower using ice cream spoons before someone stops their attempt ...
The Ultimate Topping Drop Game
This ice cream game requires skill to drop ice cream toppings into a waiting cone from a pretty far distance. This game can get a little messy...but ...
No-Hands Ice Cream Eating Game
In this fun ice cream game everyone gets to enjoy some ice cream - but everyone needs to be prepared to get just a little bit messy! It's a delicious ...
Ice Cream Meltdown Game
This ice cream game is a twist on the traditional favorite "Fruit Basket." It's fast-pace has made it a favorite at parties for both the young and the ...
Ice Cream Picture Scavenger Hunt
Here's an ice cream game that's tons of fun. It's perfect for teens and adults and encourages people to work together.
Get the Toppings Race
Here's a fun ice cream game that combines skill, speed, and a whole lot of laughs! It's best played by teens and adults.
Topping Personality Game
This ice cream game is designed to be played at an ice cream sundae party. It's great for adults and teens. It's a fun game that allows people to express ...
Mystery Sundae Making
In this ice cream game contestants try to make their dream sundae in one minute...while blindfolded!
Get ready for lots of laughs as you watch people ...
Coco Cha-Shell
This ice cream game is a twist off of the classic board game Risk. You'll have to plan your strategy well in order to be the first player to conquer ...
Banana, Banana, Banana SPLIT
This ice cream game is a fun game for all ages. It's a twist on Duck, Duck Goose, a traditional favorite that has stood the test of time! Playing this ...
Pin the Cherry on the Sundae
This ice cream game is a classic twist on the old favorite - pin the tail on the donkey! Played "ice cream style," this game is perfect for an ice ...
Sunday
Anna Glace - Ice Cream Game
A funny serving game in which you have to help Anna Glace to run her own icecream store! Learn new recipes, and invest your money in new machines like creammakers, refrigerators and juice machines!
Play "The Apprentice Icecreamer - Dairy Queen" - Ice Cream Game
This is from the same group who brought you "Frosty freakout".
However this game is a lot harder - if you enjoyed Frosty freakout, you'll love The Apprentice.
Play "Frosty Freakout" - Ice Cream Game
"Frosty freakout is a great Dessert game" according to the website :-)
It is actually a great little memory game. You are in charge of an ice cream machine, you are given a picture of the next order which flashes up on the screen, and then you have to make that order. It starts off easy and gets harder.
Have fun.
Ice Cream Wallpapers
Hi all,
I recently joined DesktopNexus and found some great ice cream wallpapers for your computer background. Click here http://my.desktopnexus.com/norgenvaaz/ to check out my finds.
Friday
Ice Cream Licking Contest
Fancy yourself a great ice cream licker? Then head on over to I Lick Ice Cream submit a video of you licking ice cream and win prizes. Also on Youtube.
I Lick Ice Cream
Girls Doing Some Very Interesting Ice Cream Licking
Spike Lick
Blake Lively & Leighton Meester - Slow Motion Lick
Jessica Simpson - Ice Cream Seduction
Liz Hurley Eats Ice Cream
Ice Cream BJ :-)
Cherry Lambic
Ice Cream Art
Image From http://www.artregister.com/seavest_collection/cotton_ice_cream.html
Image from http://www.willcotton.com/paintingpageshtml/icecreamcavern2.html
Palm Oil, Ice Cream and You
If your shopping list includes packaged products like: bread, biscuits, chocolate, chips, sandwich spreads, ice cream, shower cream and shampoo, then its likely you are buying palm oil. In fact Palm oil and its derivatives are present in 50% of all packaged foods on our shelves.
What is the problem with Palm Oil?
Palm oil only grows in the tropics, where, if cultivated in an unsustainable way can have negative impacts on people and the environment. These include indiscriminate forest clearing, habitat loss of threatened and endangered species, poor air quality from burning forests and peatlands, and disregard for the rights and interests of local communities.
Check out the video below to find out more or go to the WWF - Palm Oil page
What is the problem with Palm Oil?
Palm oil only grows in the tropics, where, if cultivated in an unsustainable way can have negative impacts on people and the environment. These include indiscriminate forest clearing, habitat loss of threatened and endangered species, poor air quality from burning forests and peatlands, and disregard for the rights and interests of local communities.
Check out the video below to find out more or go to the WWF - Palm Oil page
Help Preserve Endangered Land - With One Click Everyday
How You Can Help In Mere Seconds — Every Day
The Rainforest Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness and prevent deforestation every day — through easy and quick online activities.
With a simple, daily click of the green "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Rainforest Site, visitors help to preserve rainforest land. Visitors pay nothing. Critical habitat is preserved by The Rainforest Site's charitable partners.
Please remember to click every day to save important ecosystems and give hope to future generations. Every click counts in the battle to save our rainforests.
The Rainforest Site provides a feel-good way to help promote awareness and prevent deforestation every day — through easy and quick online activities.
With a simple, daily click of the green "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Rainforest Site, visitors help to preserve rainforest land. Visitors pay nothing. Critical habitat is preserved by The Rainforest Site's charitable partners.
Please remember to click every day to save important ecosystems and give hope to future generations. Every click counts in the battle to save our rainforests.
Help Feed The World's Hungry - With One Click
How Does The Hunger Site Work?
The Hunger Site was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need: the eradication of world hunger. Since its launch in June 1999, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism, helping to feed the world's hungry. On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more than 300 million visitors have given more than 671 million cups of staple food.
The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps , Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) , and Millennium Promise . 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to their charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.
The Hunger Site was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need: the eradication of world hunger. Since its launch in June 1999, the site has established itself as a leader in online activism, helping to feed the world's hungry. On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more than 300 million visitors have given more than 671 million cups of staple food.
The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps , Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) , and Millennium Promise . 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to their charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and North America.
What is Ice Cream?
Ice cream or ice-cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners. In some cases, artificial flavourings and colourings are used in addition to (or in replacement of) the natural ingredients. This mixture is stirred slowly while cooling to prevent large ice crystals from forming; the result is a smoothly textured ice cream.
The meaning of the term ice cream varies from one country to another. Terms like frozen custard, frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato and others are used to distinguish different varieties and styles. In some countries, like the USA, the term ice cream applies only to a specific variety, and their governments regulate the commercial use of all these terms based on quantities of ingredients. In others, like Italy and Argentina, one word is used for all the variants. Alternatives made from soy milk, rice milk, and goat milk are available for those who are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to dairy protein, or in the case of soy and rice milk, for those who want to avoid animal products.
The meaning of the term ice cream varies from one country to another. Terms like frozen custard, frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato and others are used to distinguish different varieties and styles. In some countries, like the USA, the term ice cream applies only to a specific variety, and their governments regulate the commercial use of all these terms based on quantities of ingredients. In others, like Italy and Argentina, one word is used for all the variants. Alternatives made from soy milk, rice milk, and goat milk are available for those who are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to dairy protein, or in the case of soy and rice milk, for those who want to avoid animal products.
Gelato for Dogs
FIRST there were pooch parlours, then Fido-friendly beer. Now you can pamper your canine companion with the latest treat: gelato for dogs.
With pet fashion, puppy parties, day spas, dog-care centres and even Doga (yoga for dogs), doggy luxuries are a booming business.
Now a pet company is to release Doggylato ice cream with flavours including choco loco and peanut nutter, hitting stores in October.
Tim Falk, editor of Dogs Life magazine, said spoiling dogs sometimes was fine, but pet owners needed to know when to stop to avoid authority issues.
"There's nothing wrong with spoiling them occasionally, but you can't take it too far because it's going to backfire -- and you'll end up with a dog that really rules the roost," he said.
Maria Lobos, 48, from Blair Athol, said she and daughter Gabby loved to spoil their five-month-old puppy, Chachi.
"Now when we have birthday parties and the dogs are outside while we're having ice cream, the dogs can have ice cream, too," she said.
Doggylato chief operations manager John Parcio said the canine gelato had been formulated so it would be gentle on a dog's digestive system, unlike lactose-rich ice cream.
With pet fashion, puppy parties, day spas, dog-care centres and even Doga (yoga for dogs), doggy luxuries are a booming business.
Now a pet company is to release Doggylato ice cream with flavours including choco loco and peanut nutter, hitting stores in October.
Tim Falk, editor of Dogs Life magazine, said spoiling dogs sometimes was fine, but pet owners needed to know when to stop to avoid authority issues.
"There's nothing wrong with spoiling them occasionally, but you can't take it too far because it's going to backfire -- and you'll end up with a dog that really rules the roost," he said.
Maria Lobos, 48, from Blair Athol, said she and daughter Gabby loved to spoil their five-month-old puppy, Chachi.
"Now when we have birthday parties and the dogs are outside while we're having ice cream, the dogs can have ice cream, too," she said.
Doggylato chief operations manager John Parcio said the canine gelato had been formulated so it would be gentle on a dog's digestive system, unlike lactose-rich ice cream.
Ice Cream Flavour Affects A Car's Performance
This is a weird but true story ...
A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors: This is the second time I have written you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I kind of sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of ice cream for dessert after dinner each night. But the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it.
It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem. You see, every time I buy vanilla ice cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine.
I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds: 'What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?'"
The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an engineer to check it out anyway. The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.
The engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, the man got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start. Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem.
And toward this end he began to take notes: he jotted down all sorts of data, time of day, type of gas used, time to drive back and forth, etc. In a short time, he had a clue: The man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to find the flavor and get checked out. Now the question for the engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time.
Once time became the problem — not the vanilla ice cream — the engineer quickly came up with the answer: vapor lock. It was happening every night, but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.
A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors: This is the second time I have written you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I kind of sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of ice cream for dessert after dinner each night. But the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it.
It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem. You see, every time I buy vanilla ice cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine.
I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds: 'What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?'"
The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an engineer to check it out anyway. The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.
The engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, the man got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start. Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem.
And toward this end he began to take notes: he jotted down all sorts of data, time of day, type of gas used, time to drive back and forth, etc. In a short time, he had a clue: The man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to find the flavor and get checked out. Now the question for the engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time.
Once time became the problem — not the vanilla ice cream — the engineer quickly came up with the answer: vapor lock. It was happening every night, but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.
Are "Jimmies" Chocolate Sprinkles for Ice Cream?
"Jimmies" is the Boston/New England word for "chocolate sprinkles." Ask any ice cream vendor for jimmies on your sundae, and so long as you're within a 200-mile radius of Boston, chances are he'll understand you.
When I was 16 or 17, I heard for the first time this doozy of an urban legend, causing me to feel guilt for taking pride in this linguistic quirk — although I never stopped using the word. My friend told me, after I had ordered jimmies on my ice cream, that it was racist to say jimmies. She explained that because chocolate sprinkles are black, early Bostonian racists referred to them as jimmies — because of the Jim Crow laws. As little sense as this makes to me now, I was taken aback as a teenager, and was vaguely ashamed every time I got a chocolate-sprinkled sundae.
I've heard it about 20 times since then, from all different sources, inside and outside of Boston, each accompanied by a dire warning not to perpetuate this racist expression!
When I was 16 or 17, I heard for the first time this doozy of an urban legend, causing me to feel guilt for taking pride in this linguistic quirk — although I never stopped using the word. My friend told me, after I had ordered jimmies on my ice cream, that it was racist to say jimmies. She explained that because chocolate sprinkles are black, early Bostonian racists referred to them as jimmies — because of the Jim Crow laws. As little sense as this makes to me now, I was taken aback as a teenager, and was vaguely ashamed every time I got a chocolate-sprinkled sundae.
I've heard it about 20 times since then, from all different sources, inside and outside of Boston, each accompanied by a dire warning not to perpetuate this racist expression!
World's Thickest Thick Shakes in Tenterfield
Staff at Tenterfield's Famous Pie Shop and shoppers on the street were seeing stars on Tuesday.
Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson, most widely know for his portrayal of the globe trekking, speech impaired plumber Kenny, passed through Tenterfield on Tuesday to try the Famous Pie Shop's world's thickest thick shakes as part of their new film Charlie and Boots.
The pie shop's world's thickest thickshakes were in fact invented for the movie, but the Famous Pie Shop owners Geoff and Gabrielle Schnitzerling said the thick shakes and new signage are here to stay.
Mr Schnitzerling said the film's director, Dean Murphy, chose to film at the Famous Pie Shop after visiting the shop on a trip through Tenterfield in the previous year.
"The director came through town last year and stopped for a pie. He said he loved the place so he got in touch with us and asked if he could hire it do some of the filming," he said.
"I'm very pleased to have had part of the film shot there, it's great to know someone wanted to film the pie shop."
It took three thick shakes to film the close-up shots of Mr Jacobson in the pie shop.
In an interview with the Star, Jacobson said his favourite flavour was banana, but was unsure if it would be anymore.
"Fifteen minutes ago my favourite flavour was banana, and now it is anything but banana. I think I've just deprived three million chimps bananas, if you cut a hole in me I'd be able to feed bananas to all the chimps in Africa."
"The thick shake was very nice," Jacobson said. "The only thick thing about it was at the end of the straw."
Mr Jacobson will play Boots, with his estranged fictional father Charlie, played by
The characters are reunited after a family tragedy, putting their differences aside to head off on a road trip from Warrnambool through the centre of New South Wales and Queensland to fish off the northernmost tip of Australia.
Tenterfield Shire Mayor Toby Smith said the movie would provide good exposure for Tenterfield as well as the Famous Pie Shop.
"The weather is wonderful and I am, of course, pleased that they stopped in town for the filming. We're a very historic town and this only adds to it. It's not every day that we have Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson in town," Councillor Smith said.
Principal filming for Charlie and Boots will end on December 15. A release date has not been confirmed, but it is expected the film will screen in cinemas around Australia in September 2009.
Source: http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/crocodile-dundee-paul-hogan-and-shane-jacobson-of-kenny-fame-passed-through-town-on-tuesday-shooting-for-their-new-film-charlie-and-boots/1377606.aspx
Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson, most widely know for his portrayal of the globe trekking, speech impaired plumber Kenny, passed through Tenterfield on Tuesday to try the Famous Pie Shop's world's thickest thick shakes as part of their new film Charlie and Boots.
The pie shop's world's thickest thickshakes were in fact invented for the movie, but the Famous Pie Shop owners Geoff and Gabrielle Schnitzerling said the thick shakes and new signage are here to stay.
Mr Schnitzerling said the film's director, Dean Murphy, chose to film at the Famous Pie Shop after visiting the shop on a trip through Tenterfield in the previous year.
"The director came through town last year and stopped for a pie. He said he loved the place so he got in touch with us and asked if he could hire it do some of the filming," he said.
"I'm very pleased to have had part of the film shot there, it's great to know someone wanted to film the pie shop."
It took three thick shakes to film the close-up shots of Mr Jacobson in the pie shop.
In an interview with the Star, Jacobson said his favourite flavour was banana, but was unsure if it would be anymore.
"Fifteen minutes ago my favourite flavour was banana, and now it is anything but banana. I think I've just deprived three million chimps bananas, if you cut a hole in me I'd be able to feed bananas to all the chimps in Africa."
"The thick shake was very nice," Jacobson said. "The only thick thing about it was at the end of the straw."
Mr Jacobson will play Boots, with his estranged fictional father Charlie, played by
The characters are reunited after a family tragedy, putting their differences aside to head off on a road trip from Warrnambool through the centre of New South Wales and Queensland to fish off the northernmost tip of Australia.
Tenterfield Shire Mayor Toby Smith said the movie would provide good exposure for Tenterfield as well as the Famous Pie Shop.
"The weather is wonderful and I am, of course, pleased that they stopped in town for the filming. We're a very historic town and this only adds to it. It's not every day that we have Paul Hogan and Shane Jacobson in town," Councillor Smith said.
Principal filming for Charlie and Boots will end on December 15. A release date has not been confirmed, but it is expected the film will screen in cinemas around Australia in September 2009.
Source: http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/news/local/news/general/crocodile-dundee-paul-hogan-and-shane-jacobson-of-kenny-fame-passed-through-town-on-tuesday-shooting-for-their-new-film-charlie-and-boots/1377606.aspx
"Ice Cream Man" (1995) DVD
Ice Cream Man (1995) is quite simply the best film EVER made!
Clint Howard's performance as Gregory grips you from start to finish. One would only expect a performance this superb from Lawrence Olivier, but Clint Howard has proved again that he is the best actor of our time and has no equals.
The film is studded with powerful cast. JoJo Adams (Tuna) has shown us that he is the next great child actor to hit Hollywood. The obvious pillow under his shirt throughout the whole film makes for good tongue and cheek moments of relief.
This film is electrifying, spell binding and awe inspiring. Quite simply the best film ever made. This film is in the same league as Casablanca and Gone With The Wind, and many other cinema classics.
Clint Howard's performance as Gregory grips you from start to finish. One would only expect a performance this superb from Lawrence Olivier, but Clint Howard has proved again that he is the best actor of our time and has no equals.
The film is studded with powerful cast. JoJo Adams (Tuna) has shown us that he is the next great child actor to hit Hollywood. The obvious pillow under his shirt throughout the whole film makes for good tongue and cheek moments of relief.
This film is electrifying, spell binding and awe inspiring. Quite simply the best film ever made. This film is in the same league as Casablanca and Gone With The Wind, and many other cinema classics.
Pizza, Beer and Ice Cream Diet
As we all know, it takes 1 calorie to heat 1 gram of water 1 degree
centigrade. Translated into meaningful terms, this means that if you eat a very cold dessert (generally consisting of water in large part), the natural processes which raise the consumed dessert to body temperature during the digestive cycle literally sucks the calories out of the only available source, your body fat.
For example, a dessert served and eaten at near 0 degrees C (32.2 deg. F) will in a short time be raised to the normal body temperature of 37 degrees C (98.6 deg. F). For each gram of dessert eaten, that process takes approximately 37 calories as stated above. The average dessert portion is 6 oz, or 168 grams. Therefore, by operation of thermodynamic law, 6,216 calories (1 cal./gm/deg. x 37 deg. x 168 gms) are extracted from body fat as the dessert's temperature is normalized.
Allowing for the 1,200 latent calories in the dessert, the net calorie loss is approximately 5,000 calories.
Obviously, the more cold dessert you eat,the better off you are and the faster you will lose weight, if that is your goal.
This process works equally well when drinking very cold beer in frosted glasses. Each ounce of beer contains 16 latent calories, but extracts 1,036 calories (6,216 cal. per 6 oz. portion) in the temperature normalizing process. Thus the net calorie loss per ounce of beer is 1,020 calories. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate that 12,240 calories (12 oz. x 1,020 cal./oz.) are extracted from the body in the process of drinking a can of beer.
Frozen desserts, e.g., ice cream, are even more beneficial, since it takes 83 cal./gm to melt them (i.e., raise them to 0 deg. C) and an additional 37 cal./gm to further raise them to body temperature. The results here are really remarkable, and it beats running hands down.
Unfortunately, for those who eat pizza as an excuse to drink beer, pizza (loaded with latent calories and served above body temperature) induces an opposite effect. But, thankfully, as the astute reader should have already reasoned, the obvious solution is to drink a lot of beer with pizza and follow up immediately with large bowls of ice cream.
We could all be thin if we were to adhere religiously to a pizza, beer, and ice cream diet.
ps. Not to be taken seriously.
Click here if you don't like pizza.
centigrade. Translated into meaningful terms, this means that if you eat a very cold dessert (generally consisting of water in large part), the natural processes which raise the consumed dessert to body temperature during the digestive cycle literally sucks the calories out of the only available source, your body fat.
For example, a dessert served and eaten at near 0 degrees C (32.2 deg. F) will in a short time be raised to the normal body temperature of 37 degrees C (98.6 deg. F). For each gram of dessert eaten, that process takes approximately 37 calories as stated above. The average dessert portion is 6 oz, or 168 grams. Therefore, by operation of thermodynamic law, 6,216 calories (1 cal./gm/deg. x 37 deg. x 168 gms) are extracted from body fat as the dessert's temperature is normalized.
Allowing for the 1,200 latent calories in the dessert, the net calorie loss is approximately 5,000 calories.
Obviously, the more cold dessert you eat,the better off you are and the faster you will lose weight, if that is your goal.
This process works equally well when drinking very cold beer in frosted glasses. Each ounce of beer contains 16 latent calories, but extracts 1,036 calories (6,216 cal. per 6 oz. portion) in the temperature normalizing process. Thus the net calorie loss per ounce of beer is 1,020 calories. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate that 12,240 calories (12 oz. x 1,020 cal./oz.) are extracted from the body in the process of drinking a can of beer.
Frozen desserts, e.g., ice cream, are even more beneficial, since it takes 83 cal./gm to melt them (i.e., raise them to 0 deg. C) and an additional 37 cal./gm to further raise them to body temperature. The results here are really remarkable, and it beats running hands down.
Unfortunately, for those who eat pizza as an excuse to drink beer, pizza (loaded with latent calories and served above body temperature) induces an opposite effect. But, thankfully, as the astute reader should have already reasoned, the obvious solution is to drink a lot of beer with pizza and follow up immediately with large bowls of ice cream.
We could all be thin if we were to adhere religiously to a pizza, beer, and ice cream diet.
ps. Not to be taken seriously.
Click here if you don't like pizza.
TV Epsiode - We All Scream For Ice Cream (2007 S2E10)
Buster the Clown (William Forsythe), a tragic victim of a prank gone awry, returns from the grave to murder those kids behind his death, now grown, by giving the men's children voodoo ice cream cones. When each child bites into the voodoo ice cream bars their fathers melt into ice cream!
More info at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0817402/
101 Frightening Ice Cream Flavours From Around The World
Click below to check out a comprehensive collection of different (weird) ice cream flavours...
101 Frightening Ice Cream Flavors From Around The World
Eyes Cream Balls
A quick treat for kids are Eyes Cream Balls. You’ll need some vanilla ice cream (or other preferred flavor), corn flakes or sprinkles, chocolate chips and raisins.
Roll rounded scoops of ice cream in corn flakes or sprinkles. Then add eyes, nose and mouth with chocolate chips and raisins. Place your creations on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer until time to devour.
As an alternative, you can create a pair of eyeballs with your ice cream balls. For this treat, you will need vanilla ice cream, strawberry syrup, M&M’s (blue, green or brown) and black decorating gel.
Simply scoop the ice cream into two balls about an inch apart. Drizzle syrup onto each ball to create a bloodshot effect. Put an M&M (logo facing down) at the center of each and top with a drop of black decorating gel to form a pupil. Enjoy at Halloween time!
Supermarket promotions cause child obesity
TV advertising of unhealthy foods has been widely blamed for contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic, but now the finger is being pointed at supermarket promotions.
Nutrition researchers at the Cancer Council NSW found that supermarkets promoted biscuits, confectionery, chips, and ice cream to children, and 80% of all their food promotions were for unhealthy foods. Supermarkets used free giveaways and relied on promotions linked to TV, movie and cartoon characters to promote an unhealthy diet in children. (Health Promotion International 2006; 21: 331-9)
Source: http://www.6minutes.com.au/articles/z1/view.asp?id=51144
Nutrition researchers at the Cancer Council NSW found that supermarkets promoted biscuits, confectionery, chips, and ice cream to children, and 80% of all their food promotions were for unhealthy foods. Supermarkets used free giveaways and relied on promotions linked to TV, movie and cartoon characters to promote an unhealthy diet in children. (Health Promotion International 2006; 21: 331-9)
Source: http://www.6minutes.com.au/articles/z1/view.asp?id=51144
Trick or Treat: Chocolate Ice Cream is Good to Eat
Not only are chocolate-flavored products such as milk, ice cream and even yogurt yummy treats, they are also full of tricks...well, more accurately, surprises, as cocoa is associated with an increasing number of health and wellness benefits. But of course, not all chocolate is created equal, and dairy product formulators are learning that it pays to use highquality cocoa when developing premium, value-added products.
Loving chocolate
A recent study showed that moderate chocolate consumption is linked to lower risks of heart failure. Reported in Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association, Dallas, researchers found that women in Sweden who ate an average of one to two servings of high-quality chocolate per week had a 32% lower risk of developing heart failure. Those who had one to three servings per month had a 26% lower risk. However, those who consumed one serving or more daily did not appear to benefit from a protective effect against heart failure. In other words, there is truth to the old adage, "too much of a good thing."
The lack of a protective effect is probably due to the additional calories gained from eating chocolate instead of more nutritious foods, according to Murray Mittleman, lead researcher of the study and director of the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "You can't ignore that chocolate is a relatively calorie-dense food and large amounts of habitual consumption is going to raise your risks for weight gain," says Mittleman. "But if you're going to have a treat, dark chocolate is probably a good choice, as long as it's in moderation."
High concentration of compounds called flavonoids in chocolate may lower blood pressure, among other benefits, according to mostly short-term studies. However, this is the first study to show long-term outcomes related specifically to heart failure, which can result from ongoing untreated high blood pressure.
Mittleman adds that differences in chocolate quality affect the study's implications for Americans. Higher cocoa content is associated with greater heart benefits. In Sweden, even milk chocolate has a higher cocoa concentration than dark chocolate sold in the United States.
Loving chocolate
A recent study showed that moderate chocolate consumption is linked to lower risks of heart failure. Reported in Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association, Dallas, researchers found that women in Sweden who ate an average of one to two servings of high-quality chocolate per week had a 32% lower risk of developing heart failure. Those who had one to three servings per month had a 26% lower risk. However, those who consumed one serving or more daily did not appear to benefit from a protective effect against heart failure. In other words, there is truth to the old adage, "too much of a good thing."
The lack of a protective effect is probably due to the additional calories gained from eating chocolate instead of more nutritious foods, according to Murray Mittleman, lead researcher of the study and director of the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Harvard Medical School's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "You can't ignore that chocolate is a relatively calorie-dense food and large amounts of habitual consumption is going to raise your risks for weight gain," says Mittleman. "But if you're going to have a treat, dark chocolate is probably a good choice, as long as it's in moderation."
High concentration of compounds called flavonoids in chocolate may lower blood pressure, among other benefits, according to mostly short-term studies. However, this is the first study to show long-term outcomes related specifically to heart failure, which can result from ongoing untreated high blood pressure.
Mittleman adds that differences in chocolate quality affect the study's implications for Americans. Higher cocoa content is associated with greater heart benefits. In Sweden, even milk chocolate has a higher cocoa concentration than dark chocolate sold in the United States.
Refuel With Chocolate and Dairy
High-performance athletes, and those who aspire to achieve this distinction, are quickly learning that chocolate milk and chocolate flavored, dairy-based beverages are a nutritious and great-tasting option to help them train longer and harder. Unlike fruit-flavored, non-dairy sports drinks, chocolate dairy beverages deliver a unique blend of nutrients including calcium and vitamin D for bone health. After all, strong bones are essential to a powerful workout.
Most recently, Apure Foods Co., Wheat Ridge, Colo., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa., which was formed in April to develop and deliver food and beverage products with enhanced nutritional and wellness benefits, rolled out reGen. This muscle recovery drink is designed to harness the antioxidant benefits found in natural cocoa with the nutrients athletes need to recover their muscles following a grueling workout. reGen is powered by natural cocoa, with more than two tablespoons (12 grams) in each 200-calorie, 11-ounce serving. Research shows that consuming natural cocoa can help maintain healthy blood flow, which may enhance the delivery of carbohydrates and protein during muscle recovery, and may enable a more efficient removal of the "waste" products produced during exercise that can lead to post-training muscle soreness. reGen also contains the scientifically recommended 3:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, optimal for recovery. Each serving contains 35 grams of carbohydrates to 11 grams of protein from whey and casein.
Many chocolate-flavored beverages utilize alkalized cocoa, for improved flavor, color and solubility; however, alkalization can significantly reduce cocoa's antioxidant power, according to the company.
Scientists from the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition worked with the reGen team to develop a unique patent-pending process that incorporates the large amount of natural cocoa found in each serving of reGen without using alkalized cocoa.
According to clinical testing, study participants who consumed the reGen beverage experienced an average of 25% improvement in their muscle recovery compared to the leading carbohydrate and electrolyte beverage. In the same clinical study, when participants consumed reGen they experienced an average 9.7% increase in endurance versus when they consumed an identical beverage without cocoa.The Milk Pep organization promotes regular chocolate milk as the best beverage for refueling, as it is an affordable, great-tasting beverage that is readily available. Some beverage manufacturers have taken the concept further, adding value in terms of package, shelf stability and nutrition composition. For example, a little more than a year ago, Attitude Drink Co., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., introduced Phase III Recovery. This low-fat, chocolate-flavored dairy beverage sports the "Real Seal." It starts with Grade A milk that undergoes a proprietary ultrafiltration process to concentrate milk's inherent nutrients, resulting in a high-protein beverage (35 grams of protein per 14.5-ounce container) for recovery after intense exercise. It is also a good source of 18 vitamins and minerals and contains 29% less sugar than regular flavored milk, which is accomplished through the use of sucralose.
Most recently, Apure Foods Co., Wheat Ridge, Colo., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa., which was formed in April to develop and deliver food and beverage products with enhanced nutritional and wellness benefits, rolled out reGen. This muscle recovery drink is designed to harness the antioxidant benefits found in natural cocoa with the nutrients athletes need to recover their muscles following a grueling workout. reGen is powered by natural cocoa, with more than two tablespoons (12 grams) in each 200-calorie, 11-ounce serving. Research shows that consuming natural cocoa can help maintain healthy blood flow, which may enhance the delivery of carbohydrates and protein during muscle recovery, and may enable a more efficient removal of the "waste" products produced during exercise that can lead to post-training muscle soreness. reGen also contains the scientifically recommended 3:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, optimal for recovery. Each serving contains 35 grams of carbohydrates to 11 grams of protein from whey and casein.
Many chocolate-flavored beverages utilize alkalized cocoa, for improved flavor, color and solubility; however, alkalization can significantly reduce cocoa's antioxidant power, according to the company.
Scientists from the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition worked with the reGen team to develop a unique patent-pending process that incorporates the large amount of natural cocoa found in each serving of reGen without using alkalized cocoa.
According to clinical testing, study participants who consumed the reGen beverage experienced an average of 25% improvement in their muscle recovery compared to the leading carbohydrate and electrolyte beverage. In the same clinical study, when participants consumed reGen they experienced an average 9.7% increase in endurance versus when they consumed an identical beverage without cocoa.The Milk Pep organization promotes regular chocolate milk as the best beverage for refueling, as it is an affordable, great-tasting beverage that is readily available. Some beverage manufacturers have taken the concept further, adding value in terms of package, shelf stability and nutrition composition. For example, a little more than a year ago, Attitude Drink Co., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., introduced Phase III Recovery. This low-fat, chocolate-flavored dairy beverage sports the "Real Seal." It starts with Grade A milk that undergoes a proprietary ultrafiltration process to concentrate milk's inherent nutrients, resulting in a high-protein beverage (35 grams of protein per 14.5-ounce container) for recovery after intense exercise. It is also a good source of 18 vitamins and minerals and contains 29% less sugar than regular flavored milk, which is accomplished through the use of sucralose.
Premium Chocolate's Origins
Premium chocolate starts with high-quality cocoa beans that are processed in such a way to preserve their inherent antioxidants. Numerous suppliers are engaged in efforts to improve the world cocoa supply.
In mid-September, researchers from Mars Inc., McLean, Va., the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Washington, D.C., and IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown, N.Y., released the preliminary findings of their breakthrough cacao genome sequence and made it available in the public domain. This is the result of a joint-research endeavor to improve the cocoa growing process and represents a successful private/public partnership for the benefit of the world's cocoa farmers, and a more sustainable world cocoa supply.
Cocoa comes from the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The tree seeds are processed into cocoa beans that are the source of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate. But fungal diseases can destroy seed-bearing pods and wipe out up to 80% of the crop, causing an estimated $700 million in losses each year. With worldwide demand for cacao now exceeding production, there is no room for such loss.
Scientists worldwide have been searching for years for ways to produce cacao trees that can resist evolving pests and diseases, tolerate droughts and produce higher yields. Researchers have been testing new cacao tree varieties developed with genetic markers. But having the genome sequenced is expected to speed up the process of identifying genetic markers for specific genes that confer beneficial traits, enabling breeders to produce superior new lines through traditional breeding techniques.
Sequencing cacao's genome also will help researchers develop an overall picture of the plant's genetic makeup, uncover the relationships between genes and traits, and broaden scientific understanding of how the interplay of genetics and the environment determines a plant's health and viability. The results of the research are available to the public with permanent access via the Cacao Genome Database (www.cacaogenomedb.org) to ensure that the data remains perpetually open without patent, as well as to allow scientists to begin applying the findings immediately to crop cultivation efforts.
"As the global leader in cocoa science, we understand the importance of not only investing in this research, but making it publicly available for all to benefit," says Howard-Yana Shapiro, global head of plant science and research at Mars. "As a private company, Mars is in a unique position to drive and fund fundamental science that will support its long-term focus and vision. Although it may not benefit the bottom line in the short term, in the long run, it will ensure mutually beneficial results for the company, cocoa farmers and tree crop production in key regions of the world."
And of course, long-term, this research benefits Americans - from kids trick or treating to those who pump iron - as chocolate improves the appeal of all kinds of dairy foods.
In mid-September, researchers from Mars Inc., McLean, Va., the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Washington, D.C., and IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown, N.Y., released the preliminary findings of their breakthrough cacao genome sequence and made it available in the public domain. This is the result of a joint-research endeavor to improve the cocoa growing process and represents a successful private/public partnership for the benefit of the world's cocoa farmers, and a more sustainable world cocoa supply.
Cocoa comes from the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. The tree seeds are processed into cocoa beans that are the source of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate. But fungal diseases can destroy seed-bearing pods and wipe out up to 80% of the crop, causing an estimated $700 million in losses each year. With worldwide demand for cacao now exceeding production, there is no room for such loss.
Scientists worldwide have been searching for years for ways to produce cacao trees that can resist evolving pests and diseases, tolerate droughts and produce higher yields. Researchers have been testing new cacao tree varieties developed with genetic markers. But having the genome sequenced is expected to speed up the process of identifying genetic markers for specific genes that confer beneficial traits, enabling breeders to produce superior new lines through traditional breeding techniques.
Sequencing cacao's genome also will help researchers develop an overall picture of the plant's genetic makeup, uncover the relationships between genes and traits, and broaden scientific understanding of how the interplay of genetics and the environment determines a plant's health and viability. The results of the research are available to the public with permanent access via the Cacao Genome Database (www.cacaogenomedb.org) to ensure that the data remains perpetually open without patent, as well as to allow scientists to begin applying the findings immediately to crop cultivation efforts.
"As the global leader in cocoa science, we understand the importance of not only investing in this research, but making it publicly available for all to benefit," says Howard-Yana Shapiro, global head of plant science and research at Mars. "As a private company, Mars is in a unique position to drive and fund fundamental science that will support its long-term focus and vision. Although it may not benefit the bottom line in the short term, in the long run, it will ensure mutually beneficial results for the company, cocoa farmers and tree crop production in key regions of the world."
And of course, long-term, this research benefits Americans - from kids trick or treating to those who pump iron - as chocolate improves the appeal of all kinds of dairy foods.
A study to warm the hearts of chocolate ice cream lovers
US research suggests consuming chocolate in pregnancy reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia.
Researchers assessed the chocolate consumption of nearly 2300 pregnant women both by self-report and by measuring a biomarker of cocoa and chocolate consumption in the cord blood. Chocolate milk, hot chocolate, confectionary, biscuits, cake and ice cream were all included.
Women who consumed at least five servings of chocolate per week during the first trimester were found to be 20% less likely to develop preeclampsia than women consuming less than one serving a week. And the protective effect appeared even greater in the third trimester where the higher intake equated to a 40% reduced risk, according to the study published in Epidemiology (19:459-464).
[Study at: http://www.epidem.com/pt/re/
Researchers assessed the chocolate consumption of nearly 2300 pregnant women both by self-report and by measuring a biomarker of cocoa and chocolate consumption in the cord blood. Chocolate milk, hot chocolate, confectionary, biscuits, cake and ice cream were all included.
Women who consumed at least five servings of chocolate per week during the first trimester were found to be 20% less likely to develop preeclampsia than women consuming less than one serving a week. And the protective effect appeared even greater in the third trimester where the higher intake equated to a 40% reduced risk, according to the study published in Epidemiology (19:459-464).
[Study at: http://www.epidem.com/pt/re/
Transporting Ice Cream
Did you know?
Ice cream must be shipped at extremely low temperatures -- as cold as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit -- and when it is unloaded, you lose some of that temperature as soon as you open the transport vehicle's doors. If ice cream isn't unloaded in five minutes you're going to have a claim.
Ice cream must be shipped at extremely low temperatures -- as cold as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit -- and when it is unloaded, you lose some of that temperature as soon as you open the transport vehicle's doors. If ice cream isn't unloaded in five minutes you're going to have a claim.
Ice Cream Drinks
Ice cream is a nearly perfect medium for serving liqueurs and spirits. Its sweet, creamy consistency accepts a wide variety of flavors, making it extremely easy to be creative. Likewise, nowhere is it written that you have to use vanilla ice cream. There are at least 31 flavors from which to choose, so experiment. Consider pairing chocolate ice cream with Kahlua, or strawberry ice cream with Di Saronno Amaretto. Then again, who said you're limited to using ice cream? Imagine combining Midori with lime sherbet, or tequila and Grand Marnier with lemon sorbet.
Unlimited Potential: These drinks are typically flavored with different types of modifiers, one being fresh fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries, melon, and peaches. Other examples include chocolate, caramel, or butterscotch syrup, peanut butter, fruit juice, iced coffee or espresso, and crushed cookies or candy bars. Modifiers come in many different forms, so don't fence yourself in.
Creative Specialties: Rest assured, most people want to indulge themselves. Tempting them with irresistible, dessert-- like libations is a `can't miss proposition. Here are some recipes for ice cream drinks.
Bananas Barbados
House specialty glass
1 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
1/2 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
1/2 oz. Creme de Banana
2 oz. sweet & sour
1 ripe banana
Blend with ice
Float 1/2 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
Chocolate-Covered Banana
House specialty glass, chilled
1 3/4 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz. Creme de banana
1 oz. chocolate syrup
1 1/4 oz. half & half
1/2 ripe banana
Blend with ice
Banana slices and chocolate syrup drizzles
Death by Chocolate
House specialty glass, chilled
1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz. Godiva Chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz. vodka
1 scoop chocolate ice cream
Blend with ice
Raspberry Run Cream
House specialty glass, chilled
1 oz. Light Rum
3/4 oz. White Creme de Cacao
3/4 oz. Chambord
1 1/2 oz. raspberry yogurt
2 oz. half & half
1 scoop raspberry ice cream
Blend with ice
Rhumba Escapades
House specialty glass, chilled
1 1/4 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
3/4 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
1/2 oz. Creme de Banana
1/4 oz. grenadine
1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
1 ripe banana
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Blend with ice
Unlimited Potential: These drinks are typically flavored with different types of modifiers, one being fresh fruit, such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries, melon, and peaches. Other examples include chocolate, caramel, or butterscotch syrup, peanut butter, fruit juice, iced coffee or espresso, and crushed cookies or candy bars. Modifiers come in many different forms, so don't fence yourself in.
Creative Specialties: Rest assured, most people want to indulge themselves. Tempting them with irresistible, dessert-- like libations is a `can't miss proposition. Here are some recipes for ice cream drinks.
Bananas Barbados
House specialty glass
1 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum
1/2 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
1/2 oz. Creme de Banana
2 oz. sweet & sour
1 ripe banana
Blend with ice
Float 1/2 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
Chocolate-Covered Banana
House specialty glass, chilled
1 3/4 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz. Creme de banana
1 oz. chocolate syrup
1 1/4 oz. half & half
1/2 ripe banana
Blend with ice
Banana slices and chocolate syrup drizzles
Death by Chocolate
House specialty glass, chilled
1 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
1 oz. Godiva Chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz. vodka
1 scoop chocolate ice cream
Blend with ice
Raspberry Run Cream
House specialty glass, chilled
1 oz. Light Rum
3/4 oz. White Creme de Cacao
3/4 oz. Chambord
1 1/2 oz. raspberry yogurt
2 oz. half & half
1 scoop raspberry ice cream
Blend with ice
Rhumba Escapades
House specialty glass, chilled
1 1/4 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
3/4 oz. Myers's Jamaican Rum
1/2 oz. Creme de Banana
1/4 oz. grenadine
1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
1 ripe banana
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Blend with ice
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